Flu activity spikes on the South Shore

Ed Baker ebaker@wickedlocal.com @EdBakerWeymouth

Monday

Jan 13, 2020 at 6:34 PMJan 13, 2020 at 6:34 PM

WEYMOUTH -- South Shore Hospital’s emergency room is seeing a “significant” increase of patients seeking treatment for influenza and respiratory illnesses since the New Year began, according to Dr. Jason Tracy, chairman of the medical facility’s emergency medicine division.

“During the past week, Massachusetts moved into the highest level of activity for influenza,” he said. “It is turning out to be an impactful flu season.”

Tracy said there is still time for people to get a flu vaccination to reduce their chance of contracting the disease.

The vaccine is available at South Shore Health Express medical facilities in Weymouth, Abington, Kingston, Pembroke, Quincy, Plymouth, and at South Shore Medical Center in Norwell.

“People can walk in anytime and get the flu vaccine at any of these urgent care centers,” he said.

Tracy said people who have a chronic respiratory disease, a weak immune system, or are very young or old should obtain a flu shot.

The federal Centers for Disease Control recommend people who are six months and older to be vaccinated against influenza.

The vaccine is also provided to people for a fee on a supply availability basis at many pharmacies and by a patient’s primary care doctor.

Tracy said patients who have flu symptoms, but don’t struggle with a weak immune system or a chronic respiratory disease, should seek treatment from their primary care physician or at a South Shore Health Express facility instead of the emergency room.

“The best course of action is for people to talk with their primary care doctor,” he said.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue.

Some people may experience vomiting and diarrhea, but this is more common in children than in adults.

“For many individuals, it feels like the worst cold they have ever had in their life,” Tracy said.

South Shore Health System infectious disease specialist Dr. Todd Ellerin said Massachusetts is in the early stages of the flu season.

“It is a busy time right now,” he said. “There is widespread flu.”

Ellerin said it is best for most people with flu symptoms to not seek treatment at a hospital emergency room unless the patient is a child experiencing listlessness, or a person who has severe ailments such as shortness of breath and is in need of oxygen.

“Those patients should go to the emergency room,” he said.

Ellerin said he believes the amount of influenza-related deaths and hospitalizations should be lower this season than in past years because the predomination flu strain is type B rather than type A.

“We are seeing an increase of type B flu in adults,” he said.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported there had been more type B flu strains than type A at hospitals and outpatient facilities across the state.

"All influenza strains that have been characterized in Massachusetts this season to date, are covered by the current influenza vaccine," stated a DPH summary. "Nationally, the influenza-like illness remains elevated, and influenza B is most common."

The DPH also reported the metropolitan Boston area is experiencing moderate influenza-like illnesses.

"Other regions across the state are reporting high influenza-like illness," stated the DPH.

Ellerin said the anti-viral drug Tamiflu should be taken by people who have severe influenza, pneumonia that is related to the flu or additional risk factors such as heart disease, a chronic lung illness, diabetes, or a weakened immune system.

“Tamiflu can be obtained at any pharmacy,” he said. “Tamiflu can be taken twice a day.”

Ellerin said there is a new anti-viral medication called Xofluza available for people to take if they are battling influenza.

“It involves a single-dose,” he said. “It has not shown itself to be better than Tamiflu, but it might work faster.”